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As the Premier League season winds down into its final stages, many fans will be giving thought to their fantasy ‘team of the season’. In a year of unpredictability, there are a handful of players who have gone above and beyond for their clubs, and have enjoyed seasons of outstanding consistency. Here is my take on the EPL team of the season.
Goalkeeper - Tim Krul (Newcastle)
When Newcastle sold Shay Given to Manchester City for £7m in 2009, all eyes fell on young Dutchman Krul to step into his considerable shoes. After a slow start littered with mistakes, and like so many of his teammates, he has stepped up to the plate this season. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has even gone on record to say that Krul has saved the Magpies ten league points so far, and having been linked with Spurs, among others, Krul joined club captain Fabricio Coloccini in signing a new five-year contract. If Newcastle are to continue their assault into European football, then the man at the back is going to be a key part of it. (Runners-up – Michel Vorm, John Ruddy)
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Left-Back - Leighton Baines (Everton)
Since joining from Wigan in 2007, Baines has built a reputation as a defensively sound wing-back of real class. This season has done that reputation no harm, and his performances have led many sports writers to question whether Ashley Cole is still the man to hold the England left-back berth. With an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon, and an intriguing league run-in with Liverpool to wrestle with, Baines big-game nature will be called upon in the final throws of Everton’s season. (Runners-up – Neil Taylor, Jose Enrique)
Centre-Back – Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)
In a turbulent season for the Redmen, one shining Anfield light have been the performances of their big Slovakian defender. Combining no-nonsense aggression with an underrated eye for a pass, Liverpool’s most expensive defender of all-time has matured into the leader of their back five in his most consistent year to date. If he and Daniel Agger can stay fit long-term, they seem to have unearthed a settled partnership at the back this season, if nothing else. (Runners-up – Vincent Kompany, Laurent Koscielny)
Centre-Back – Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle)
The Newcastle defender has been as important as Krul in Newcastle’s 2011-12 renaissance. Giving a string of performances as big as his hair-do, Coloccini’s defensive capabilities and temperment have seen him grow into the club captaincy role with little fuss. Indeed, whilst many big name players were quick to jump ship and leave the North-East club, the Argentine stayed true to his club, and is now reaping the rewards of a likely top-six finish. (Runners-up – Phil Jones, Daniel Agger)
Right-Back – Micah Richards (Manchester City)
For someone who made his international debut as an 18-year-old with only 28 first team caps to his name, it is probably fair to say that Micah Richards has not quite lived up to his early promise. Rumours of a flashy lifestyle and a questionable temperment have dogged the talented defender up until this season, where he has excelled. Equally effective at centre-back, it is down the right flank that Roberto Mancini has best employed Richards, who is now rightly back fighting for a place in England’s starting line-up. (Runners-up – Kyle Walker, Danny Simpson)
Left-Winger – Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)
Whilst Spurs’ flirtation with a title challenge turned out to be all too brief, the form of their prized asset has been steadfast all season. Since announcing his name on the world stage last season ago in a Champions League tie with Inter Milan, Bale has gone from strength to strength and has collected high-profile suitors, most notably Real Madrid, along the way. (Runners-up – Juan Mata, James Maclean)
Central Midfielder – Scott Parker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Much like Bale, Parker’s form, unlike his side’s, has been a model of consistency. In a season that has culminated in him being awarded the England captaincy (for the time being at least), the tough tackling anchor man has taken his game to a new level following his move from relegated West Ham in the Summer. Parker, captain or not, will have a huge role to play in England’s chances during Euro 2012. (Runners-up – Paul Scholes, Joe Allen)
Central Midfielder – Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Eyebrows were raised late on in the Summer transfer window when Arsene Wenger parted with £10m to prize Arteta away from Everton. After an uninspiring start, the Spaniard has grown into the key role as the Gunners’ play maker, and has shrugged off the tag of ‘panic-buy’ that so many held over him. Arsenal’s late resurgence into Champions League contention, it is fair to say, that he has a lot to do with Arteta, who’s partnership with the born-again Tomas Rosicky will be a vital one if they are clinch a top-four spot. (Runners-up – Yohann Cabaye, Gareth Barry)
Right-Winger – David Silva (Manchester City)
When David Silva burst onto the Premier League scene last season, you’d have been hard pushed to find someone unimpressed by his class. Combining wicked pace with flair unmatched throughout the league, the World-Cup winner is possibly the Premiership’s most feared opponent with the ball at his feet. Silva’s performance in the 6-1 drubbing of rivals Manchester United was something to behold. (Runners-up – Stephane Sessegnon, Nani)
Striker – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Quietly going about his business, Rooney has been consistently brilliant all season. Currently behind only Robin van Persie on twenty-two league goals, the ex-Everton man has also shown his versatility in deputizing in the middle of midfield. After a tough grapple with their noisy neighbours, Manchester United look to be strolling their way to a twentieth league title, which has a lot to do with Rooney’s work rate, style, and goal-scoring ability. The scouser has a disappointing record in world tournaments to date. Expect this to change this Summer at Euro 2012. (Runners-up – Demba Ba, Grant Holt)
Striker – Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Now this was an easy one. van Persie’s record has always been tarnished by an inability to remain fit for the duration of a league season, and this season, he has managed it. And how. The flying Dutchman has amassed an incredible twenty-six goals to date, with his side still to play six league games, and his sights must be half-set on Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of thirty-one goals in a Premier League season. Likely to be this year’s PFA and football writer’s player of the year, Arsenal’s captain vantastic has been simply unstoppable. (Runners-up – Clint Dempsey, Yakubu)
Manager – Alan Pardew (Newcastle)
Since taking over from the popular Chris Hughton as Newcastle boss in 2010, Alan Pardew has been instrumental in their extraordinary rise through the Premier League table. The shrewd signings of deadly duo Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, among others, have been masterstrokes, and at the time of writing, the magpies are the in-form team heading into the race for fourth spot. Pardew publicly ruled himself out of the running for the vacant England managers job this time round, but don’t be surprised if the FA come calling at some stage down the road. (Runners-up – Brendan Rodgers, Sir Alex Ferguson)
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